It was recently announced that MAN Cryo has been contracted by Torghatten Nord, the Norwegian ferry firm, to design hydrogen supply systems for the company’s two new-build hydrogen-powered ferries.

The Norwegian ships are 117 meters in length and they have the capacity to carry one hundred and twenty cars, plus five hundred and ninety-nine passengers. The ships will also be installed with 6.4MW of hydrogen fuel cells, which will be used to power operations, whilst the ships are operating on the outer Vestjorden in Lofoten. Along with this, the ships will also include hulls built by Cemre shipyard, located in Turkey. The construction and installation of all this hydrogen equipment will be carried out in Norway.

The role of MAN Cryo, which is part of MAN Energy Solutions, will be to provide a design for bunkering systems, hydrogen piping and finally, vent masts for the ferries. At the same time, the company will also act as a system integrator for the hydrogen process plant.

This project has been under development for a number of years and it was recently that Torghatten Nord secured a contract from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. This contract state that from 2025, the ferries will be allowed to operate between Bodø and Lofoten.

One of the main driving forces behind this project, was a compatriot ferry operator, Norled, who claimed a ‘world first’ achievement in 2023. This accomplishment involved successfully putting a liquid hydrogen-powered ferry into operation in Hjelmeland. It was after this announcement that construction of these two new ferries began.

The Torghatten Nord ferries will expect the delivery of the green, compressed hydrogen-powered vessels by 2026.

Managing Director of MAN Energy Solutions, Henrik Malm, stated that ‘the ferry firm is set to “revolutionise” ferry transportation.’

CEO of The Norwegian Ship Design Company, Gjermund Johannessen, commented, “We look forward to continuing our good collaboration with MAN Cryo and to bring their gas expertise onboard the prestigious hydrogen ferry projects for Torghatten Nord.”